9773008

Method and Apparatus for Providing Search Function in Touch-Sensitive Device

PublishedSeptember 26, 2017
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
InventorsSehwan PARK
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
14 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method performed by an electronic device, the method comprising: displaying a keyboard including a plurality of alphanumeric keys; based on duration of an input on one of the plurality of alphanumeric keys being longer than a threshold amount of time, expanding the displayed input alphanumeric key to display one or more visual elements, each of the one or more visual elements representing an application stored in the electronic device corresponding to a character of the input alphanumeric key; and in response to an input on one of the one or more visual elements, executing the application represented by the input visual element, wherein the expansion of the displayed input alphanumeric key to fit the one or more visual elements is displayed over adjacent keys of the keyboard.

Plain English Translation

An electronic device displays a keyboard with alphanumeric keys. If you touch and hold a key longer than a set time, the key expands, showing icons or other visual elements above it. Each element represents an app on the device that relates to the key's letter/number. If you tap one of these visual elements, the corresponding app launches. The expanded key display covers the keys next to it.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input on the visual element comprises a release after a drag from the input on the input alphanumeric key.

Plain English Translation

This method, where an electronic device displays a keyboard with alphanumeric keys, and holding a key expands it to show application icons, involves a specific way to select an app. Instead of a tap, you drag your finger from the alphanumeric key onto the visual element for the app you want, and then lift your finger (release). This drag-and-release action launches the app.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input visual element comprises an indicator and an icon corresponding to the application.

Plain English Translation

In the method where an electronic device displays a keyboard with alphanumeric keys, and holding a key expands it to show application icons, each of those visual elements includes two parts: an indicator (like a small dot or highlight) and the app's icon itself. The indicator helps you see which visual element you're currently selecting before launching the app.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: based on a duration of time of inactivity after the input on the input alphanumeric key, stopping displaying of the expanded portion of the input alphanumeric key.

Plain English Translation

The method involving an electronic device that displays a keyboard, expands a key on prolonged touch to show app icons, also includes a timer. If you don't interact with the expanded key (the visual elements/app icons) for a certain period after it appears, the expanded key display automatically disappears, returning the keyboard to its normal state.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the expanded portion of the expanded input alphanumeric key is displayed above the input alphanumeric key on the keyboard, and wherein the one or more visual elements are displayed in a line.

Plain English Translation

When the device displays a keyboard and expands a key to show application icons upon a long press, the expanded portion appears above the original alphanumeric key on the keyboard. The application icons or visual elements are arranged in a horizontal line (a row) above the key.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the expanded portion of the input alphanumeric key keeps being displayed until at least one of a release of contact and selection of one of the one or more visual elements.

Plain English Translation

The expansion of a key to display application icons will stay visible until one of two things happens: either you lift your finger off the screen (release contact), or you tap/select one of the application icons. This ensures the icons remain visible while you're deciding which app to launch.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more visual elements also correspond to recently executed contents and/or applications.

Plain English Translation

Besides representing applications directly associated with the letter or number on the key, the visual elements displayed when the key expands can also include recently used apps or content. So, the expanded key might show both apps whose names start with "M" (if you press "M") and apps you've used recently, providing quick access to frequently used items.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. An electronic device comprising: a display; and a controller configured to: control the display to display a keyboard including a plurality of alphanumeric keys; control the display, based on duration of an input on one of the plurality of alphanumeric keys being longer than a threshold amount of time, to expand the displayed input alphanumeric key to display one or more visual elements, each of the one or more visual elements representing an application stored in the electronic device corresponding to a character of the input alphanumeric key; and in response to an input on one or more of the visual elements, execute the application represented by the input visual element, wherein the expansion of the displayed input alphanumeric key to fit the one or more visual elements is displayed over adjacent keys of the keyboard.

Plain English Translation

An electronic device has a display and a controller. The controller makes the display show a keyboard with letter/number keys. If you touch and hold a key, the controller makes the display expand that key, showing application icons above it. Each icon represents an app on the device that corresponds to that key. Tapping an icon launches the app. The expanded key display covers the neighboring keys on the keyboard.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the input on the input visual element comprises a release after a drag from the input on the input alphanumeric key.

Plain English Translation

In the electronic device with a display and controller that shows an expanding keyboard, the way you select an app involves dragging your finger from the alphanumeric key onto the visual element (app icon) and then lifting your finger. This drag-and-release action launches the app.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the input visual element comprises an indicator and an icon corresponding to the application.

Plain English Translation

In the electronic device with the expanding keyboard feature, each application icon includes both an indicator (like a highlight) and the app's icon image.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein, based on a duration of time of inactivity after the input on the input alphanumeric key, the controller controls the display to stop displaying the expanded portion of the input alphanumeric key.

Plain English Translation

The electronic device with the expanding keyboard has a timer. If you don't interact with the expanded key for a while, the controller makes the display stop showing the expanded portion.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the controller controls the display to display the expanded portion of the expanded input alphanumeric key above the input alphanumeric key on the keyboard, and wherein the one or more visual elements are displayed in a line.

Plain English Translation

When the key expands to show application icons, the controller displays this expanded portion above the original alphanumeric key. The app icons are lined up horizontally in a row.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the expanded portion of the input alphanumeric key keeps being displayed until at least one of a release of contact and selection of one of the one or more visual elements.

Plain English Translation

The controller keeps the expanded portion visible until either you lift your finger off the screen, or you select one of the application icons.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the one or more visual elements also correspond to recently executed contents and/or applications.

Plain English Translation

Besides showing apps directly related to the letter on the key, the controller can also display icons for recently used apps or content in the expanded key view.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

September 26, 2017

Inventors

Sehwan PARK

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Cite as: Patentable. “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SEARCH FUNCTION IN TOUCH-SENSITIVE DEVICE” (9773008). https://patentable.app/patents/9773008

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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SEARCH FUNCTION IN TOUCH-SENSITIVE DEVICE